No Decision on Aid to Israel

The State Department has categorically denied that a decision has been made, under the President’s reassessment of U.S. Mideast policy, to reduce U.S. assistance to Israel. Recent contradictory reports have indicated both that U.S. aid will not be out or that it will be slashed. The Israelis are understood to have asked for $1.5 billion in military assistance and $1 billion in economic aid.

Department spokesman Robert Anderson said Friday that the question of aid to Israel has not yet been reached. “It is still on the technical level,” Anderson stressed, “It is still being studied. No decision has been made.”

When a reporter suggested that a recommendation has been made to hold U.S. aid to Israel to $1 billion, Anderson said he had not heard of it and pointed out. “There has been no recommendation to the Secretary on this subject.” Anderson said he did not know when the reassessment led by Undersecretary of State Joseph Sisco, would be completed or when it will be processed through the National Security Council enroute to President Ford.